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Editorial: Nice to see dirt turning on new Veterans Park

New earth was uncovered beginning last week on the planned Wilson County Veterans Park, and it’s certainly a welcome sight to see.

Feb 27, 2014

New earth was uncovered beginning last week on the planned Wilson County Veterans Park, and it’s certainly a welcome sight to see.

After years of planning, approvals, funding hurdles and other setbacks, the first phase of this fitting tribute to our local veterans is finally coming to fruition.

The park, which is located next the Wilson County Courthouse in Lebanon, will be a place to commemorate local veterans.

“It is a wonderful sight to see construction on a park that will honor our locals and also be used as a place to teach our youth about history,” County Mayor Randall Hutto said. “We are still looking for funding and donations for phases two and three. We are very optimistic and are grateful for the abundance of community support.”

Wilson County Veterans Service Officer Bernie Ash said he is “extremely excited” to see the project coming to fruition after almost two years of planning and fundraising, which is ongoing.

He said crews Wednesday built the construction entrance and the environmental walls.

“The first phase is just the park,” Ash said. “There will be a water feature in the middle shaped like a star and a wall will be around that that people can sit on.”

On the wall will be the Circle of Support bricks that the community can buy to commemorate loved ones.

“If people still want to get their names on the memorials, they need to come see us if they want to have it completed with the rest of the park,” said Ash.

The current monument to local veterans, which is situated in front of the County Courthouse, will be moved to a new location within the Veterans Park and “an eternal flame will be placed on it,” according to Ash.

The completion of all phases will include a memorial park, the new home of the Veterans Service Office and a museum of local memorabilia.

We are appreciative of the work both Ash and Hutto have contributed to the Veterans Park and are assured that work will continue well into the future until the last brick is placed and ribbon cut.

Until then, there is still work to do, and the project still lacks $500,000 to get everything done. We urge everyone to get involved and give a little. Call 615-444-2460 to make a donation.